Hi all,

My wife and I may have found an older home that we'd like to purchase.
It has all the character that we've looked for in a home. This would
be our first house and is in our price range.

The house is equipped with central air. The central air unit is an
older unit and was just repaired about a week ago. The furnace is
about 15 years old, as it was replaced in 1991. We intend to sell the
house in 5 years, since this is our first home and is a smaller house
that we'd outgrow in time. The home does come with a 1 yr warranty,
but our concern is that while the furnace and a/c may make it through
the first year, they may not last 5 years. I do know that a furnace
that is properly maintained can last up to 25 years. But how long does
a central air unit last? By 'guesstimation' I'd say it's about as old
as the furnace, if not a little older.

About how much more use will we get from the A/C unit, with it just
repaired? And should we be concerned about the furnace?

Our dilemma is, do we keep looking for something that has newer A/C and
furnace or, do we risk replacing those things in an older home?

wrote in message
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About how much more use will we get from the A/C unit, with it just
repaired? And should we be concerned about the furnace?

We bought our home 8 years ago, the central AC was approx. 20 years old
then. We did a small (less than $100) repair on it 2 years ago, and it is
still working great.


Our dilemma is, do we keep looking for something that has newer A/C and
furnace or, do we risk replacing those things in an older home?

With home ownership, there is always something that is going to have to be
replaced. Hot water heater, furnace, AC, appliances, roof, etc. Its just
something you need to plan and budget for doing at some point...and there
are never any guarantees.

In terms of 'keep looking' or buy this and take a chance that something will
need to be replaced in less than 5 years, I'd say that NO house (even a
brand new one) is going to be perfect. Every house will need something done
or have the potential for a problem with in your 5 year window.

wrote:
Hi all,

My wife and I may have found an older home that we'd like to purchase.
It has all the character that we've looked for in a home. This would
be our first house and is in our price range.

The house is equipped with central air. The central air unit is an
older unit and was just repaired about a week ago. The furnace is
about 15 years old, as it was replaced in 1991. We intend to sell the
house in 5 years, since this is our first home and is a smaller house
that we'd outgrow in time. The home does come with a 1 yr warranty,
but our concern is that while the furnace and a/c may make it through
the first year, they may not last 5 years. I do know that a furnace
that is properly maintained can last up to 25 years. But how long does
a central air unit last? By 'guesstimation' I'd say it's about as old
as the furnace, if not a little older.

About how much more use will we get from the A/C unit, with it just
repaired? And should we be concerned about the furnace?

Our dilemma is, do we keep looking for something that has newer A/C and
furnace or, do we risk replacing those things in an older home?


You could ask for an allowance for the HVAC system from the buyers.
Have you had the A/C inspected by actual A/C technicians (not just the
house inspector)?

In any case, Tracey is right. There's always something that comes up
with home ownership. If it's not the A/C, it's the dishwasher or hot
water heater or something. One neighbor had a tremendous water leak in
the upstairs bathroom and it leaked into the livingroom one month after
they moved in. They were not happy campers at that time. Since then,
they have fixed the place up and are very comfortable with the house.

We recently bought a house that had an even older system than yours (and
it has since given up). While we're not happy about the break-down
(somewhat covered by the home warranty), we're still happy with the
house. It's a great layout for us for both present and future; we like
the room sizes; and we like the neighborhood.

On 25 Jul 2006 11:59:40 -0700, someone wrote:


Our dilemma is, do we keep looking for something that has newer A/C and
furnace or, do we risk replacing those things in an older home?

Ya pays yer money and ya takes yer chances.

If you are that frightened, you should only buy new. But of coarse
then you will not find a house with that "character" you are seeking,
plus you'll pay a lot more.

So are you one of those unicorn chasers who will always have an excuse
why you have never found a house good enought for you to buy, since
there is always some uncertsainty or flaw in anything you find? Keep
looking forn that perfect house, don't buy until you find it, one with
character you want, no risks at all, AND in your price range! (As long
as I'm not your real estate agent, that is!) With that approach you
will NEVER own your own home.


Reply to NG only - this e.mail address goes to a kill file.

wrote:

The house is equipped with central air. The central air unit is an
older unit and was just repaired about a week ago. The furnace is
about 15 years old, as it was replaced in 1991. We intend to sell the
house in 5 years, since this is our first home and is a smaller house
that we'd outgrow in time. The home does come with a 1 yr warranty,
but our concern is that while the furnace and a/c may make it through
the first year, they may not last 5 years. I do know that a furnace
that is properly maintained can last up to 25 years. But how long does
a central air unit last? By 'guesstimation' I'd say it's about as old
as the furnace, if not a little older.

There's no reason why a properly maintained A/C shouldn't continue to run for
years. That said, if your A/C is 15 years old, you will see a substantial
reduction in your electric bill by replacing it with a more energy efficient
unit. Chances are, the one you have has a SEER of 8 or less. New A/Cs must be 13
or better.

You might try to find out what was done to repair the current unit. If they just
say the freon was filled without the source of the leak identified, you have a
problem.

The question is how high will your utility bills be in summer and winter.
Might ask to see copies of their bills or call the utilities. New units use
quite a bit less electricity/gas.

Other than that it is just a question when something breaks to repair or
replace. Since your only going to be there 5 years, then if repair less than
replacement cost, then I would go with repair.

If you were going to be there the rest of your lives, then I would replace
the units now as the savings on energy would be well worth the cost. Note
new refrigerators and air conditioners can use half the electricity of old
units.